PROJECT: ESHER COLLEGE // INTEGRATOR: WAVERLEY
Brief
Key partner Waverley were appointed to deliver an intelligent building control solution integrated into Esher College’s broader infrastructure in Surrey. The redevelopment required a window-covering system aligned with safeguarding policies and emergency lockdown procedures. Ground-floor classrooms needed rapid, discreet concealment to prevent visibility into teaching spaces during potential threats, while remaining simple for staff to operate. The system also needed to be durable for daily use, visually unobtrusive and delivered within budget.
Solution
This project marked Waverley’s first deployment of the S3 KNX-based blind control system in an educational setting. The team faced a tight schedule, complex structural challenges, including concrete pillars in window bays and the need for concealed blind operation.
Waverley’s experienced team ensured rapid design, manufacture and installation without compromising quality or safety. Ground-floor classrooms were fitted with S3 motorised blinds controlled via discreet KNX RF switches at each teacher’s desk, with preset positions at 30% and 60% for comfort and emergency lockdown. Upper-floor spaces received manually operated blinds with repositioned chains and linked mechanism allowing multiple blinds to be operated from a single side.
Benefits
Due to the mission critical safeguarding elements within this project the KNX standard was the clear choice in ensuring a robust and reliable infrastructure was in place for lockdown procedures whilst still catering for ease of daily use for teachers and wider staff.
Result
Esher College now has a secure, reliable and user-friendly shading system tailored to safeguarding and emergency preparedness. Ground-floor classrooms can be rapidly concealed, while upper-floor teaching spaces have discreet, safely operable manual blinds. Despite a compressed timeline and complex installation, the project was delivered on schedule, meeting the architect’s specifications and earning positive feedback from the college site team. The success highlights Waverley’s capability to deliver responsive, safety-critical solutions in the education sector.
From a My KNX standpoint this project is a great example of how versatile the KNX standard is. For blind control it is very common that solutions purely focus on visual comfort and/or the management of solar gain, but there is so much more which can be achieved. This was a fantastic project to be part of and the results achieved are a true credit to Waverley and their attention to the finer details for the brief.
For more information on this and other successful KNX projects from Waverley, see here.
Photo credit: Macallan Penfold Ltd
